120 years of The SF – 1970s part II

120 years of The SF – 1970s part II

Texel sheep arrived in Scotland after a group of Lanarkshire farmers purchased 27 ewe hoggs and 13 rams in 1974. These were pictured at Jock McGregor's farm, near Lesmahagow

– Intensive deer farming of red deer in Scotland could be a real possibility.

Results from the world's first experimental intensive deer farm in Kincardine, scientists from the Rowett Research Institute and Hill Farming Research Organisation said the first commercial deer farms could be operattional within five years.

– Transportation of a foetus could become a commercial operation. It was suggested that a hospital-type facility to house 1500 nurse cows could be built, and it could be possible to order a calf from a cow in one country, sired by a bull in another country and be born in a third country.

– In 1973, the Romagnola, an Italian-breed of cattle, was introduced to Scotland. It is claimed to produce marbled quality beef and were easy calving when used on Friesians and Simmentals. A newly formed society was chaired by John Marshall, from Dumfries.

– Texel sheep arrived in Scotland in 1974 and were tipped to make a major impact on the Scotch lamb market. A group of Lanarkshire farmers negotiated the first direct importation from France.There were 27 ewe hoggs and 13 rams which were distributed to 13 farms – all but one in the Lanarkshire area.

– Ultrasound was first used to detect barren ewes. It was estimated 50-60 ewes an hour could be scanned, with a 95% accuracy rate, however detecting multiples as opposed to singles was much slower and less reliable.

– There was a big turnout at the first working collie dog sale which took place at Moniaive, Dumfries-shire, with a top price of £170 from W Makepiece, The Lowther to W Dunlop, Elmscleugh, Dunbar. They averaged £75.

– The first reunion of 1300 Scottish ex-Land Girls took place at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall. It was an unqualified success.

– The first case of sheep scab was discovered in Scotland since 1941. It was found on a farm in Renfrewshire. The farm was not identified, although the movement of sheep was restricted.

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